Zaitseve checkpoint reopens in Donbas - Ukrainian State Border Service

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The Zaitseve checkpoint on the line of contact between the warring sides in Donbas reopened on February 20, the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service has said.

"Due to the decreased gunfire intensity in the area of Zaitseve and for the purpose of alleviating social tensions in the civilian population of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the ATO staff commanders have decided to reopen the Zaitseve checkpoint on February 20, 2016," the service said.

Passenger and motor traffic has accelerated through checkpoints on the contact line over the past day, the press service said. The Novotroitske checkpoint was crossed by 7,875 persons and 1,788 vehicles; the Hnutove checkpoint by 4,050 persons and 1,015 vehicles, and the Stanytsia Luhanska checkpoint by 3,070 persons.

Some 100 vehicles were standing in line at the Novotroitske checkpoint on Saturday morning to move in, and another 500 were waiting to move out; the Hnutove checkpoint saw 20 cars waiting to move in and 60 to move out.

The Zaitseve checkpoint was temporarily shut down on February 3 after it had come under mortar attack. The sides traded accusations of gunfire.